Rishabh Pant's Remarkable Recovery Journey After Devastating Car Accident

Rishabh Pant's journey from a devastating car accident to a remarkable return to cricket is a testament to his resilience and determination. After suffering severe injuries, including a dislocated knee and extensive skin loss, Pant underwent multiple surgeries and a grueling rehabilitation process. His first question upon waking in the hospital was about his future in cricket, showcasing his fighting spirit. With the support of his medical team, Pant's recovery exceeded expectations, leading to a triumphant return to the field. This inspiring story highlights not only his physical strength but also his unwavering commitment to the sport he loves.
 | 
Rishabh Pant's Remarkable Recovery Journey After Devastating Car Accident

Rishabh Pant's Determination to Return to Cricket

After suffering severe injuries in a car accident in December 2022, Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was admitted to a Mumbai hospital, where his first inquiry to the attending physician was, “Will I ever play again?” This moment was recounted by Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, the esteemed orthopaedic surgeon who treated him following the tragic event.


Pant was driving from Delhi to his hometown of Roorkee on December 30, 2022, when he lost control of his vehicle, resulting in a crash that left him with critical injuries.


Rescued from the wreckage, Dr. Pardiwala remarked, “Rishabh Pant was incredibly fortunate to survive this incident.”


Upon arrival, Pant presented with a dislocated right knee, an injured right ankle, and numerous minor injuries. Dr. Pardiwala noted that Pant had extensive skin loss, with the skin from his neck to his knees severely scraped off during the accident.


“As he exited the vehicle, broken glass caused significant damage to his back,” he added, reflecting on the severe impact of the crash.


Pant's resilience shone through as he underwent 635 days of recovery, multiple surgeries, and extensive physiotherapy, ultimately making a triumphant return to professional cricket—a comeback that has inspired many.


Dr. Pardiwala highlighted the high risk of fatality in such accidents, stating, “The chances of death are significantly elevated when a car flips and explodes.” This was said shortly after witnessing Pant's remarkable performance, where he scored consecutive centuries in the opening Test against England at Headingley.


Dr. Pardiwala emphasized Pant's luck in avoiding blood supply loss in his right leg, a complication that could have led to amputation.


“In cases of knee dislocation, the risk of damaging nerves or major blood vessels is high. If a blood vessel is compromised, there’s a narrow window of four to six hours to restore blood flow,” he explained. “The fact that his blood vessel remained intact despite the severe dislocation was incredibly fortunate.”


Recalling Pant's admission to the hospital, Dr. Pardiwala noted that Pant's first question was about his future in cricket. In contrast, Pant's mother pragmatically asked, “Will he ever walk again?” The injuries were so severe that a complete knee reconstruction was necessary.


“We had an extensive discussion about the seriousness of his injuries and the need for a full knee reconstruction. After that, we would focus on healing and regaining basic functions—range of motion, strength, and stability,” he stated.


On January 6, 2023, Dr. Pardiwala performed a four-hour surgery on Pant's right knee, reconstructing three ligaments and repairing tendons and the meniscus.


Dr. Pardiwala recalled that for weeks post-surgery, Pant struggled with basic tasks, unable even to brush his teeth due to the extensive skin loss and swelling in his hands. However, he gradually regained independence, managing to drink water unaided and eventually walking without crutches after four months. Despite this progress, Dr. Pardiwala was initially doubtful about Pant's return to professional cricket.


“Typically, patients are just happy to return to normal life after such injuries. If they can walk and engage in light recreational activities, they feel accomplished,” he noted.


“I assured him we would work towards getting him back to playing. We aimed to provide hope without setting unrealistic expectations. I told him, ‘Let’s take it step by step, starting with the surgery.’”


“After the surgery, I reminded him that surviving the accident and keeping his limbs intact were already two miracles. If we could get him back to competitive cricket, that would be a third miracle. We needed to remain hopeful and take it one step at a time. Pant was determined to return to the field and began setting personal timelines,” he added.


“His next question was, ‘How long will it take to get back?’ I estimated around 18 months for a return to competitive cricket. He moved to the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore, where he spent most of 2023.”


“His primary goal was to regain normalcy as quickly as possible. We aimed for optimal recovery—not too little, but not too much. His recovery exceeded our expectations; he was relentless in his efforts,” Dr. Pardiwala concluded.


News Hub